—Rick F., Crystal Lake Central High School Teacher
BARNES & NOBLE EVENT (August 2015)
“Proud! Proud! Proud! That's what I am of you, Sarah! You gave a great presentation tonight. One would have never guessed that it was your first time. Thank you for including me in your debut; I was honored to be there with and for you! Great turn-out, too. Books sold out in a heartbeat. People were ordering more...as I will be. Congratulations, girl! Your hard work is paying off in a fine way!”
—Jerry Thiel, Crystal Lake Central High School Teacher
BARNES & NOBLE EVENT (August 2015)
“I wanted to congratulate you again on your event at the Crystal Lake Barnes & Noble. You drew a very impressive crowd, and I'm sure that was exciting for you. It was an auspicious beginning for your career, and I hope you are able to get a few events going in the Des Moines area . . . My wife, Jeanette, had a good time at the event, too. She liked your book a lot (historical fiction is right up her alley) . . . I was told Barnes & Noble stores didn't do author signings anymore, but your event was a hit . . . My hats off to you for contacting them. Once again, congratulations on your book signing. I hope it was the first of many to come.”
—Jeffrey Westhoff, Author of The Boy Who Knew Too Much
BARNES & NOBLE EVENT (August 2015)
“I truly believed that we'd see you in print, but I didn't suspect that it would be so soon. Bravo!”
—Bill W., Crystal Lake Central High School Teacher
BARNES & NOBLE EVENT (August 2015)
“So very happy and blessed about your presentation!!! You have a confidence and air about you and that shows professionalism and maturity. Karamy, who was responsible for your display, shared with me how much she enjoyed your presentation. We both read your book beforehand and really wanted to do it justice!!!!!!!!!!”
—Susan L., Randall Oaks Library Assistant
RANDALL OAKS LIBRARY EVENT (January 2016)
"When I learned about local author, Sarah Natale, being published at such a young age I immediately wanted to congratulate her. As a Language Arts teacher at Bernotas, I am always trying to tell my students that they don't have to wait to make their dreams come true. That they can start working to achieve them even when they are "just kids." When Sarah reached out and asked if I would like her to visit my classroom, I was happy to say yes. When she came in, she was so organized and prepared. She shared her journey from student to published writer. She gave tips on things the kids could do to become published, or even how to go about making good decisions that lead to accomplishing their life goals. Her novella, The Kiss of Death, would be a great book for Social Studies teachers to teach about medieval times and the plague. My students really enjoyed it, especially since we were reading Edgar Allen Poe, and it provided another perspective on how the plague impacted history."
—Belinda Strebel, Bernotas Middle School 7th grade LA/SS Teacher
BERNOTAS MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT (January 2017)
“You really did clarify the three avenues of publishing. Again, thank you for that explanation. I enjoyed coming to your event very much. I had never been to such an event at Barnes and Noble before—I didn’t even know they had them. It was a pleasant surprise for me to come and find a literary community which is something that I've lacked since graduating. Hearing your story about publishing your story was helpful as well. It was nice just to get to hear the details of that process and how it could work. Also, thanks for inviting me to reach out with any questions. That was kind.”
—Elsje B., writer
ENCORE BARNES & NOBLE EVENT (January 2016)
“Great to see you tonight and you did a wonderful job on your presentation. It sounds like some really exciting things are happening for you. I was also impressed with your book trailer.”
—Elizabeth Harmon, Author of the Red Hot Russians series
CRYSTAL LAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENT (January 2016)
“We enjoyed your presentation very much as you could tell by the interest and the accolades.”
—Dee M., Second Thursday Book Club Cochairperson
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB EVENT (January 2017)
"Sarah Natale's presentation was quite informative. My classes learned the need for precision in research prior to writing a story, as well as the perseverance required in order to get a book published. Sarah's passion for writing and her willingness to share her experience with classes is to be admired."
—Karen Fuesz, Heineman Middle School 8th grade Literacy Teacher
HEINEMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT (October 2018)
"I first came across author Sarah Natale and her book The Kiss of Death on social media. I knew right away she would be a perfect guest and role model for my eighth grade Literacy students as they started their own novels as part of National Novel Writing Month during the month of November. Her presentation right before we kicked off this narrative writing was quite inspiring for them, not to mention impressive. They learned about her experience as a young writer and realized that they are capable of using their own voices and skills to create and even publish their writing. Thank you to Sarah for sharing her joy and excitement for writing with my students!"
—Becky Sisler, Heineman Middle School 8th grade Literacy Teacher
HEINEMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT (October 2018)
"It was wonderful having Sarah come back to Crystal Lake Central to speak to my Creative Writing class. We enjoyed learning about her journey with writing and how she got to where she is today. It was beneficial for my students to learn about the writing and publishing process, but more importantly, they got to hear from a Central grad that made her dream a reality. Listening to her presentation was a good reminder for my students that hard work pays off, and anything is possible if you have the passion and drive to pursue your future goals."
—Shannon Schroeder, Crystal Lake Central High School Creative Writing Teacher
CRYSTAL LAKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL EVENT (December 2018)
“Having Sarah come to my creative writing classroom was a great experience for my students. While I may be the ‘expert’ when it comes to some things, I find it extremely valuable to show the students a real world example of a published novelist. She provided some great tips about writing creatively that helped my students with the development of the plot and characters in their short stories.”
—Kristin Bernatz, Crystal Lake Central High School Creative Writing Teacher
CRYSTAL LAKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL EVENT (November 2018)
"From inception to publication to promotion, Sarah details her journey with The Kiss of Death in an organized and informed presentation. My Creative Writing students enjoyed learning about both the product and the process. But Sarah is truly at her best when answering students' questions and sharing her own personal experiences."
—Craig Kingston, Crystal Lake Central High School Creative Writing Teacher
CRYSTAL LAKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL EVENT (December 2018)
"Sarah's presentation is well organized and informative, but maybe more importantly, it was real. As we prepared for her visit, we read her story. My students were sparked to research and learn more about the time period. They were reading, researching, learning, discussing! Hearing of her personal journey from a class assignment to a published author was interesting and inspiring. Her genuine interest in the students and their questions was awesome. My class thoroughly enjoyed her visit."
—Tricia Baltzersen, Marlowe Middle School 6th grade Literacy Teacher
MARLOWE MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT (December 2018)
"The students enjoyed the presentation; it helped them understand the time and energy it takes to write a book. It also helped them in knowing the importance of organizing the plot and editing of their own children's book."
—Jennifer Martin, Marlowe Middle School 8th grade Literacy Teacher
MARLOWE MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT (December 2018)
"We enjoyed Sarah’s presentations in the Bernotas Library Media Center. It was such a great opportunity for us all, especially for the students to learn directly from an author about the process and challenges of writing. The group was engaged, and I think that many were touched by her story. I look forward to seeing more of her work."
—Kathy Blaseck, Bernotas Middle School Library Assistant
BERNOTAS MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT (January 2019)
"We greatly enjoyed Sarah's visit, and I know many of my students who are aspiring writers were motivated and inspired. We are excited about getting copies of her book and using it for our class read aloud. We look forward to her next publication!"
—Nikki Rodio, Bernotas Middle School 7th grade LA/SS Teacher
BERNOTAS MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT (January 2019)
"Thank you to Sarah for coming to Bernotas and sharing her amazing journey. I enjoyed the event so much. My students came back to the room asking when they could 'just write a story.' I especially appreciate how engaging she was with the kids during the question and answer portion."
—Peggy Boldwyn, Bernotas Middle School 7th grade LA/SS Teacher
BERNOTAS MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT (January 2019)
"The 7th grade teachers and students truly appreciated Sarah’s visit with us here at Bernotas. Her presentation showed our students how to take something from their education experiences and make a dream come true. Throughout, our 7th graders were truly engaged as she walked them through her journey from student writer to published author. It was amazing to hear how her research and writing process were involved and showed our students the rewards of effort in their own writing process. Sarah’s answers to their many questions about the process and what it was like to get published connected to the entire audience. The students are really looking forward to reading her book and discussing all the topics Sarah covered in her visit."
—Ben Conrad, Bernotas Middle School Library Director
BERNOTAS MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT (January 2019)
“Sarah’s story of how she made her dream a reality was such a great success story to share with our students. It showed them that even at a young age, nothing can stop you from accomplishing your goals if you keep at it! She was an inspiration to them...and to the teachers!”
—Tracie Connor, Marlowe Middle School 7th grade Literacy Teacher
MARLOWE MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT (December 2018)
“When the opportunity to have a young adult come in and share her experiences of the struggles and successes with aspiring writers arose, it was a unique opportunity for students to see real world writing. It was great for my students to see someone so young accomplish such a goal! After Sarah’s presentation it was clear the hard work that she had put into the research to make her story, and the students learned that research is an important part of the writing process. Sarah is an inspiration to those who have the desire to go out and make things happen. She is an excellent example that hard work and dedication can take you places.”
—Stephanie Johnson, Marlowe Middle School 7th grade Literacy Teacher
MARLOWE MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT (December 2018)
"Sarah Natale did a wonderful job speaking to the 7th grade class at Bernotas Middle School in Crystal Lake. Her presentation was well organized and Sarah's professionalism was well beyond her years. For students to hear how someone so young was able to persevere to make her dream of being a published author come true was a great example of never giving up and believing in yourself. The teacher's guide that accompanies The Kiss of Death provides teachers with discussion questions as well as activity guides. The teachers and students cannot wait to get their hands on copies of her book so that they can find out what happens to Elizabeth."
—Erin Anderson, Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 Director of Literacy and Social Studies
BERNOTAS MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT (January 2019)
“Our students realized that age does not matter when it comes to writing. This inspired many students to pursue their own writing. Sarah's presentation showed students the hard work that it takes to publish a story as well as showing them that it is an achievable task for anyone who would like to share their work with the world. We wish Sarah the best in her writing career and look forward to seeing where she takes it.”
—Jonelle Geib and Jennifer Bezik, Bernotas Middle School 7th grade LA/SS Teachers
BERNOTAS MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT (January 2019)
“Sarah’s path as a writer is an inspiring tale for young writers everywhere. Her dedication and passion to her craft is clear in her presentation and writing. The Educator Guide for The Kiss of Death is a great resource to help facilitate cross-curricular learning between Social Studies, Literacy, and even Science! This resource is aligned to the Common Core State Standards and is a great tool that teachers can easily use in their classroom.”
—Taya Pennington, Marlowe Middle School 7th grade Social Studies Teacher
MARLOWE MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT (December 2018)
“Sarah—love your mentorship! You are a gardener planting, nurturing new blooms for the arts and for writing... that is no small thing for anyone especially someone as young as you are!"
—Joe C., Barnes & Noble event attendee
"Great job giving a clear, well-organized presentation. I like that you do a nice job of helping students relate and be able to see themselves as writers."
—Sharlene Montgomery, Cary-Grove High School Humanities Division Lead
CARY-GROVE WRITERS’ DAY EVENT (April 2019)
"Sarah Natale’s presentation was thoughtful, insightful, and held a room full of 7th graders’ attention! She went over the steps it takes to become a writer and shared her experiences in doing so. Students were very much engaged and were excited to hear her story. She had fun prompts and a great power-point to follow her talking points. What a great way to ignite young readers and writers to continue their dreams as well! Thanks again for sharing your story! While reading her novel to the class, students were engaged in the story and couldn't wait to hear what would happen next with Elizabeth. It kept them analyzing and critically thinking about the story in a way that tied in History perfectly. The ending left everyone with questions and had students wanting more! They are anticipating what could happen next!”
—Amanda Manta, Parkland Middle School 7th grade Social Studies Teacher
PARKLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT (April 2019)
“Using The Kiss of Death in my English/History curriculum went really well! The students were so stunned about how the story ended. They immediately got into groups on their own and began discussing various theories on what they think happened to Elizabeth and what will happen to Matthias.”
—Kate Metzler, Parkland Middle School 7th grade LA/SS Teacher
PARKLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT (April 2019)
“It was great to have Sarah speak at Heineman Middle School! Quite a few students chatted with me during the cafeteria lunch that day about how much they enjoyed her presentation.”
—Jake Litchfield, Heineman Middle School Principal
HEINEMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT (October 2018)
“I loved your informative presentation on The Kiss of Death at the Huntley Public Library this past Saturday. It is evident that you did a lot of research for this book, and I look forward to reading it. Your video trailer sets a tone that draws me into wanting to learn more and see how (if) Elizabeth and Matthias navigate the Kiss of Death.”
—Merida Johns, author of 181 Blackhorse Road
HUNTLEY AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENT (September 2019)
“I have a plot percolating for a novel, and I was very interested in learning about how to reach out to agents and publishers, and Sarah gave me so much good information.”
—Andee Chestnut, writer
HUNTLEY AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENT (September 2019)
“Sarah presented an inspiring and informative talk about book publishing to an enthusiastic audience of adults and teens at the Huntley Area Public Library this September (2019). Her presentation was well-received by attendees, who were engaged throughout and asked lots of questions during the Q&A that followed. Sarah answered expertly, and was warm and encouraging to those who wanted to share personal stories and advice with their fellow attendees. She really connected well with the audience and her experience in the publishing world (both as an author and as a publishing professional) was valuable and evident.”
—Karin Thogersen, Huntley Area Public Library Young Adult Librarian
HUNTLEY AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENT (September 2019)
“Loved hearing your story! You were well-prepared and are such an eloquent speaker!! I liked how you used visuals to promote student engagement and understanding. I liked the practical examples of using time/amount of words to get kids' writing fluency up. Loved your Q&A to help engagement and share your start. This is how we motivate our students to get writing! Loved the ideas you shared about journal keeping. Loved that you provided us with an educational resource to discuss further. Thanks so much for coming and sharing your love of writing with our 5th graders.”
—Edie Gogny, Conley Elementary School 5th Grade Teacher
CONLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EVENT (October 2019)
“Sarah is an inspiration to young writers curious about the publishing process. She has taken the time to research the details of getting published, from start to finish, including many of the little all-important details that can make the difference between an acceptance and a decline. A highly recommended, engaging presentation.”
—Carol Spaulding-Kruse, Drake University Professor of English
DRAKE UNIVERSITY EVENT (October 2019)
“Sarah Natale shared a well-prepared presentation on her writing and publishing process to my 7th grade students. We enjoyed learning about her journey as a writer and what compelled her to write The Kiss of Death. It's clear she is passionate about passing on her love of writing to others. Another point worth mentioning is the fact that she has shown genuine interest in my students’ learning. She has been a guest reader for chapter 3 and has consistently participated in our book studies via Google Slides & Flipgrid. I highly suggest teachers consider using The Kiss of Death in their classrooms for many reasons (this just being a major bonus!).”
—Stefanie Rittner, Carl Sandburg Junior High School 7th Grade Reading & Writing Teacher
CARL SANDBURG GUEST WRITER EVENT (February 2020)
“Sarah provided thoughtful and detailed constructive criticism on my essays for graduate school applications. The comments were encouraging and illustrated the time and attention she paid to the writing, structure, and overall tone of the essays. I felt more confident submitting the applications knowing they had been edited so thoroughly!”
—Grace Peterson, prospective book publishing professional
CRITIQUES OF GRADUATE SCHOOL ESSAYS (April 2020)
“Thank you again not only for your time but sharing your knowledge of writing and publishing. You certainly have a gift with words, not only in writing but in your manner of speech and relating to others. Your discussion flowed, simply but to the point. The facts and information you touched on were inspirational and motivational. You sure have confidence and commitment in helping others. You gave me many options and food for thought. I’m so grateful our paths crossed in this chance meeting just when I needed advice from someone like you. I was ready to give it all up but you gave me encouragement to try something. I truly appreciate the support you’ve given me today. Thank you, again.”
—Nancy A. Jaeger, writer
PERSONAL CONSULTATION (May 2020)
“Sarah gave me invaluable insight into establishing a writing career; her professional experience on both sides of the industry gives her a unique understanding of the tools and obstacles authors face. Prior to speaking with Sarah, I had spoken with some local novelists and surveyed Google for how to navigate the publishing industry. The information I gathered was conflicting and often discouraging. I arranged an appointment with her so I could gain clarity about traditional publishing vs self-publishing, maintaining creative control, and other specific concerns. She was able to provide me with thorough answers, as well as realistic and reliable advice that cannot be found on Internet forums. She stays up to date about industry changes, and knows all ins and outs of book publishing and marketing in our modern world. If you wish to have a solid understanding of the writing and publishing industry, don’t search the Internet—talk to Sarah!”
—Isabella Brodzinski, writer
PERSONAL CONSULTATION (April 2021)
“Sarah entered my life at a huge transition-point when I was more motivated than ever to publish, but had no idea how to leap into that process. Not only did she offer insightful and constructive feedback on my writing that would help guide its final polishing for distribution, but she also gave me an in-depth roadmap of the initial stages of publishing. She essentially handed me the first few rungs that were missing on what still seems a pretty long ladder to me, but at least I’m able to climb it now. As a writer herself, I feel like Sarah was also mindful of the ‘audience’ for her feedback, being sure to offer tips that were helpful, but would not crush this aspiring author’s spirit in the slightest. She was empowering. I look forward to eventually sending her a copy of my first book as a token of thanks for helping to get me there.”
—Sarah Graybill, writer
PERSONAL CONSULTATION + CRITIQUES OF PICTURE BOOKS & THRILLER NOVELS (April 2021)
“Sarah Natale is amazing! She presented to a class of 6th graders on the qualities of good narrative writing. In her presentations she got the students excited by showing them a trailer for her book and related to the students by sharing her journey to becoming a published author. I loved that she told the students over and over again, that if she could do it, so could they. Sarah explained things that make for great narrative stories including story elements, different types of descriptive language, and more. The students were able to ask her questions at the end of the presentation. It was a great presentation and an amazing connection between our student writers and a published author.”
—Laura Allen, Pinckney Community Schools K-6 Literacy Coach
NAVIGATOR UPPER ELEMENTARY EVENTS (March/April 2021)
“Sarah is an incredibly positive and kind soul who significantly helped me out in learning more about what it takes to publish a book. I walked into our consultation not knowing any background information on what I would need to do, and I walked out feeling more confident in my abilities and with so much knowledge on what to do next. Sarah is so encouraging and supportive, and she was the first outside person who took a glance at my book and really made me feel like I would be able to accomplish my goals. Her motivation helped me a lot, and I am very grateful that I got to meet her and connect with someone who is as passionate about writing and books as I am!”
—Autumn Palmer, writer
PERSONAL CONSULTATION (August 2021)
“I am so proud of you! It was a pleasure to experience your presentation at B&N last weekend! You have certainly grown artistically, professionally, and personally! It was a thrill for me to be in the position of being a ‘student’ in your class; I learned from you! Your presentation was so informative; I was delighted to hear the questions from the audience members. Your answers were succinct and ‘spot on’ for those who wanted to know more from you. Great work, my dear friend! I would love to be in the audience for your next presentation, so keep me in mind!”
—Jerry Thiel, Retired Crystal Lake Central High School Teacher
BARNES & NOBLE BOOK FAIR FUNDRSAISER EVENT FOR ST. THOMAS SCHOOL (March 2022)
“Jerry and I really enjoyed your presentation at B&N last Saturday. You were so polished and professional, despite the tech gremlins. It was so nice of you to give Jerry some credit for your success, but your drive and work ethic are the main reason you’re doing so well. . . . We enjoyed seeing you and look forward to your next book launch!”
—Mary Driver-Thiel, women’s fiction author
BARNES & NOBLE BOOK FAIR FUNDRSAISER EVENT FOR ST. THOMAS SCHOOL (March 2022)
“I really enjoyed your presentation—your journey was very interesting! My son is a junior in college and is getting a minor in creative writing, so he also found your talk very interesting. I am looking forward to your next book(s)! Keep in touch and hopefully we can get you to speak at STS next year!”
—Gretchen Striedl, St. Thomas School 2nd Grade Teacher & Young Author Program Coordinator
BARNES & NOBLE BOOK FAIR FUNDRSAISER EVENT FOR ST. THOMAS SCHOOL (March 2022)
“Working with Sarah was phenomenal! She is knowledgeable, passionate, and really personalized the information for me and my needs. She gave thorough feedback on my query letter, gave guidance on next steps for publishing, and even gave me more information on the right ways to approach an agent. If you’d like to get on the right track for book publishing, I would highly recommend setting up a call with Sarah!”
—Maison Ethan Turner, writer
PERSONAL CONSULTATION (February 2023)
“So grateful for all the guest authors/writers who have taken time out of their schedules to visit and inspire the young writers I teach. Sarah Natale’s presentations are always so well-planned and engaging! We had such a blast having her. We are so thankful to know her and cheer her on in her writing endeavors. And OMG! I loved her lesson plan! We talk often about ‘showing versus telling,’ so it was a great extension of what we teach. We appreciate her help in making our teaching meaningful."
—Stefanie Rittner, Carl Sandburg Junior High School 8th Grade Reading & Writing Teacher
CARL SANDBURG GUEST WRITER EVENT (February 2023)
“I liked that [Sarah] gave us valuable information on what to expect when going into publishing. She was very sweet and even came up to me when I was packing up to compliment the short paragraph I shared. She established connections to the people who had conversations with her, and tried her best to answer our questions.”
—Sophia B., Carl Sandburg Junior High School 8th Grade Student
CARL SANDBURG GUEST WRITER EVENT (February 2023)
“Thanks again for coming in to talk to my creative writers yesterday! It was great having you back at CLC and we really appreciate your time. You speak naturally. When we talked about your presentation today, one student said you speak like you are telling a story because you have such a calm, poetic voice. I thought that was sweet! Thank you so much!! It was wonderful seeing you again!"
—Shannon Schroeder, Crystal Lake Central High School Creative Writing Teacher
CRYSTAL LAKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL EVENT (April 2023)
“My 10-year-old came home so excited with a summary of as much as he could remember. He asked if I could get him a copy of Sarah's book, so I will be getting a hold of her for that. I’m so happy that she took time out of her day to go back and help get students excited about reading and the thought of possibly writing. I think she shows kids that it’s possible and the fact that she is younger helps break the image of authors being ‘adults.’”
—Bob Ward, St. Thomas the Apostle School Parent & Barnes & Noble Bookseller
ST. THOMAS K–8 ALL-SCHOOL ASSEMBLY (April 2023)
“My first and fourth graders both enjoyed the presentation and I was surprised by how much they remembered and wanted to talk about it. Nice job!”
—St. Thomas the Apostle School Parent
ST. THOMAS K–8 ALL-SCHOOL ASSEMBLY (April 2023)
“Sarah Mondello was a wonderful guest speaker at our school. Classes ranging from K–8 were interested in her writing process. She talked to the entire school and then continued with just the upper grades. They asked a lot of good questions, and she answered the questions age appropriately. It was a great way to get our students more interested in writing and publishing.”
—Maureen Carpenter, St. Thomas the Apostle School 6th Grade Teacher
ST. THOMAS K–8 ALL-SCHOOL ASSEMBLY (April 2023)
“It was such pleasure to see Sarah Natale present her experiences as an author to St. Thomas School. Her audience was captive and attentive as she presented not only her first novel ever written as a high school student, but also as she presented the steps to getting published. She is warm and engaging in her presentation and is truly a breath of fresh air in a technology-dominated age. The joy of reading and writing has never been more important to instill in our children, and Sarah Natale possesses the calm, inviting ability to encourage that desire in children (and adults!) of all ages.”
—Jan Pollastrini, St. Thomas the Apostle School Junior High Learning Resource Teacher
ST. THOMAS K-8 ALL-SCHOOL ASSEMBLY (April 2023)
“I had the pleasure of working with Sarah in order to put my best foot forward in the publishing realm. Sarah has a wealth of knowledge and personal experience with how best to bring a new book into the world. I appreciate how friendly and personable she was as well as her attention to detail along the way. I am looking forward to working with her again towards the final stages of the writing process. Don’t miss out on this amazing talent!”
—Megan Phillips, writer
PERSONAL CONSULTATION (September 2023)
Sarah Natale is a novelist and book publishing professional with a lifelong passion for the art of writing and the business of publishing. She started studying the industry at age 8 and never looked back! She is frequently invited to teach “narrative writing” for students and “publishing 101” for adults. Her public speaking engagements began when her local Barnes & Noble took a chance on her as a teenager, for which she was fortunate. The store hosted her standing-room-only, sold-out book launch event with over 60 attendees and repeat book orders. The manager later commented that it was the largest turnout he had ever experienced. As a result, the store carried her book and invited her back for an encore event. Thanks to word-of-mouth, those first two events snowballed into an unexpected industry leadership role. Since then, she has spoken to over 2,500 attendees through nearly 50 presentations. Audiences of all ages enjoy hearing her unique journey to publication.
Presentation goals:
Popular venues: school assemblies, classroom visits, library programs, book clubs, bookstores, panels, conferences, festivals, historical societies, personal consultations, etc.